Saints 40, Texans 33

September 25, 2011 2:04 PM

Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels (81) runs past New Orleans Saints strong safety Roman Harper (41) for a touchdown reception during the first quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. less

Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels (81) runs past New Orleans Saints strong safety Roman Harper (41) for a touchdown reception during the first quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome ... more

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lance Moore (16) beats Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) for a two-point conversion during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lance Moore (16) beats Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) for a two-point conversion during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome ... more

New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (28) runs past Houston Texans cornerback Jason Allen (30) and Houston Texans free safety Danieal Manning (38) for a 13-yard touchdown run during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster throws a ball before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. Foster was ruled out before the start of the game. less

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster throws a ball before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. Foster was ruled out before the ... more

Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) leaps over New Orleans Saints cornerback Jabari Greer (33) during the first quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) leaps over New Orleans Saints cornerback Jabari Greer (33) during the first quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New ... more

Houston Texans tight end James Casey (86) beats New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Jonathan Casillas (52) for a 26-yard touchdown reception during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

Houston Texans tight end James Casey (86) beats New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Jonathan Casillas (52) for a 26-yard touchdown reception during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana ... more

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub sits on the bench after the Texans gave up the ball to the Saints on downs during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub sits on the bench after the Texans gave up the ball to the Saints on downs during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, ... more

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) holds his head after he is hit by New Orleans Saints strong safety Roman Harper (41) and New Orleans Saints nose tackle Sedrick Ellis, right, during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) holds his head after he is hit by New Orleans Saints strong safety Roman Harper (41) and New Orleans Saints nose tackle Sedrick Ellis, right, during the fourth quarter ... more

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) holds his head after he is hit by New Orleans Saints strong safety Roman Harper (41) and New Orleans Saints nose tackle Sedrick Ellis, right, during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) holds his head after he is hit by New Orleans Saints strong safety Roman Harper (41) and New Orleans Saints nose tackle Sedrick Ellis, right, during the fourth quarter ... more

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) throws a pass over New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith (91) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) throws a pass over New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith (91) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, ... more

New Orleans Saints defensive back Leigh Torrence (24) breaks up a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

New Orleans Saints defensive back Leigh Torrence (24) breaks up a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome ... more

Houston Texans wide receiver Kevin Walter (83) runs past New Orleans Saints free safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) for a 20-yard touchdown reception during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

Houston Texans wide receiver Kevin Walter (83) runs past New Orleans Saints free safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) for a 20-yard touchdown reception during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana ... more

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lance Moore (16) beats Houston Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) for a 16-yard touchdown reception during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lance Moore (16) beats Houston Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) for a 16-yard touchdown reception during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana ... more

Houston Texans defensive end Antonio Smith (94) sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

Houston Texans defensive end Antonio Smith (94) sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New ... more

New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) steps over Houston Texans strong safety Glover Quin (29) for a 27-yard touchdown reception during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) steps over Houston Texans strong safety Glover Quin (29) for a 27-yard touchdown reception during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana ... more

Houston Texans tight end Joel Dreessen (85) drops a pass after beating the coverage of New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar (56) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. less

Houston Texans tight end Joel Dreessen (85) drops a pass after beating the coverage of New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar (56) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the ... more

New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) beats Houston Texans strong safety Glover Quin (29) for a 27-yard touchdown reception during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) beats Houston Texans strong safety Glover Quin (29) for a 27-yard touchdown reception during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome ... more

Houston Texans outside linebacker Mario Williams (90) pressures New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the third quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

Houston Texans outside linebacker Mario Williams (90) pressures New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the third quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, ... more

Houston Texans outside linebacker Mario Williams (90) is slow to get up after suffering an injury to his knee during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

Houston Texans outside linebacker Mario Williams (90) is slow to get up after suffering an injury to his knee during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana ... more

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) pressures New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the third quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. less

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) pressures New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the third quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New ... more

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is sacked by Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the third quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. less

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is sacked by Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the third quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New ... more

New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) leaps past Houston Texans strong safety Glover Quin (29) on a 32-yard reception during the third quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) leaps past Houston Texans strong safety Glover Quin (29) on a 32-yard reception during the third quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, ... more

Houston Texans running back Ben Tate (44) is surrounded by New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Scott Shanle (58) and New Orleans Saints strong safety Roman Harper (41) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. less

Houston Texans running back Ben Tate (44) is surrounded by New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Scott Shanle (58) and New Orleans Saints strong safety Roman Harper (41) during the second quarter of an NFL ... more

Houston Texans tight end James Casey (86) is tripped up against the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans.

Houston Texans tight end James Casey (86) is tripped up against the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans.

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

Houston Texans tight end James Casey (86) is tripped up against the... Photo-1625098.31052 - Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) is tripped up by New Orleans Saints cornerback Jabari Greer (33) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) is tripped up by New Orleans Saints cornerback Jabari Greer (33) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, ... more

Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) intercepts a pass intended for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lance Moore (16) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) intercepts a pass intended for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lance Moore (16) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome ... more

New Orleans Saints running back Darren Sproles (43) runs past Houston Texans free safety Danieal Manning (38) for a 30-yard touchdown run during the second quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

New Orleans Saints running back Darren Sproles (43) runs past Houston Texans free safety Danieal Manning (38) for a 30-yard touchdown run during the second quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana ... more

Houston Texans wide receiver Kevin Walter (83) runs past New Orleans Saints free safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) for a 20-yard touchdown reception during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

Houston Texans wide receiver Kevin Walter (83) runs past New Orleans Saints free safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) for a 20-yard touchdown reception during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana ... more

Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels (81) drops a pass in the end zone defended by New Orleans Saints strong safety Roman Harper (41) during the first quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Texans failed to score a touchdown on the drive and had to settle for a field goal. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels (81) drops a pass in the end zone defended by New Orleans Saints strong safety Roman Harper (41) during the first quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome ... more

Houston Texans running back Steve Slaton (20) is stopped at the oine of scrimmage by New Orleans Saints cornerback Patrick Robinson (21) during the first quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

Houston Texans running back Steve Slaton (20) is stopped at the oine of scrimmage by New Orleans Saints cornerback Patrick Robinson (21) during the first quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana ... more

Houston Texans outside linebacker Mario Williams (90) has his knee checked on the sidelines during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. Williams returned to the field later in the game. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

Houston Texans outside linebacker Mario Williams (90) has his knee checked on the sidelines during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, ... more

Houston Texans kicker Neil Rackers (4) kicks a 22-yard field goal out of the hold of punter Brett Hartmann (2) during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. less

Houston Texans kicker Neil Rackers (4) kicks a 22-yard field goal out of the hold of punter Brett Hartmann (2) during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana ... more

Houston Texans free safety Danieal Manning (38) intercepts a pass intended for New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) during the third quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

Houston Texans free safety Danieal Manning (38) intercepts a pass intended for New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) during the third quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, ... more

Houston Texans defensive back Troy Nolan (33) breaks up a pass intended for New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) during the third quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. less

Houston Texans defensive back Troy Nolan (33) breaks up a pass intended for New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) during the third quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, ... more

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) pressures New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the third quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. less

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) pressures New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the third quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New ... more

New Orleans Saints defensive back Leigh Torrence (24) breaks up a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, New Orleans. The Saints beat the Texans 40-33. less

New Orleans Saints defensive back Leigh Torrence (24) breaks up a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome ... more